Jamu is the traditional herbal medicine of Indonesia. There are hundreds of recipes that can treat particular ailments, improve or maintain health and enhance beauty. While it is most commonly consumed as a beverage, it is also available in powders and capsules.

As most of the recipes and traditions were passed down through generations, there is very little written about the origins of Jamu, however there is evidence to suggest that Jamu was used as far back as 722 AD during a Hindu-Buddhist era. For example, in the relief of the Borobudur Temple there is a depiction of making and drinking herbal medicine for health. In the 17th century during the ruling of the Hindu Kingdom of Mataram, the princesses were said to use it for health and beauty. In the 19th century, some European doctors and scientists began to take notice of Jamu as a “cure all”. In ancient times, the herbs were ground and boiled to make the drink, today Jamu can be purchased in pill and powder form as manufacturing of the herbal beverages is big business. It is estimated that 49% of the population in Indonesia consume it regularly and that the industry is valued at about $2.7 billion annually

When asked what the gross revenue change from fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, 31 percent of all spas saw a 1 – 9 percent increase in revenue closely followed by 30 percent who saw 10 – 19 percent increase.

In regard to quarterly profit change, a majority of ISPA spas (72 percent) saw an increase in the fourth quarter of 2014 when compared to the same period the previous year. Seventy-three percent of day spas experienced an increase in quarterly profit compared to 70 percent of resort/hotel spas.

Almost three out of every four spa members (72 percent) experienced an increase in spa visits during the fourth quarter when compared to the same period in 2013. Resort/hotel spas experienced a noticeable increase in spa visits (73 percent) as well as day spas (64 percent). Only 19 percent of spa members experienced a decrease in spa visits.

In regards to gross revenue change for the fourth quarter of 2015, 75 percent of ISPA spa members reported some level of increase over the same quarter of 2014.

The largest group of spa respondents (27 percent) fell in the up by 1-9% range. Interestingly, 11 percent of day spa respondents said they experienced a gross revenue increase of more than 50 percent. When asked about the level of gross profit change when comparing quarter four of 2015 versus the same time in 2014, 72 percent of spas saw an increase. Thirty-two percent, which is the largest group, experienced a gross profit increase of 1-9%.

A majority (71 percent) of spa respondents reported fourth quarter 2015 spa visits were up compared to the same time in 2014. In regards to workforce changes, a little less than half (41 percent) filled vacant positions only during the fourth quarter of the year. Thirty-three percent of day spa members said they added new positions during this quarter compared to 27 percent of resort/hotel spas. When asked about average retail revenue per treatment, the largest group of spas (29 percent) fell in the $11-$15 range. Fourteen percent of resort/hotel spas actually reported an average retail revenue per treatment of more than $25 compared to 11 percent of day spas.

Overall, respondent data for the survey reflects growth in several areas. Among ISPA member spa respondents, 78 percent experienced an increase in gross revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.

Meanwhile, only 14 percent experienced a decrease in gross revenue and 8 percent reporting no change. For resource partners, the growth was even more positive. Only four percent of resource partner respondents reported that gross revenue change decreased over the same period last year.

Growth continued overall for spa respondents in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. The majority of spa respondents, 77 percent, had a positive gross revenue change when comparing these quarters, with 20 percent of resort/hotel spa respondents reporting a gross revenue increase between 20 and 50 percent. Similarly, the majority of resource partner respondents, 87 percent, had a positive gross revenue change over this time period.

Profit change increased for the majority of spa respondents as well, with 75 percent of respondents. Aligning with this, 57 percent of all spa respondents reported that spa visits were up when comparing the fourth quarter of 2017 with the fourth quarter of 2016.

A three part treatment lasting about an hour. First you are served hot enzyme tea, then you submerge in a large wooden tub filled with fragrant blends of cedar fibers and plant enzymes imported from Japan.

Among all ISPA spa members, 74 percent of respondents reported that gross revenue for the second quarter of 2015 was higher than the corresponding quarter of 2014.

Of those that reported higher revenue, over half (53 percent) reported growth of 19 percent or less, while only 21 percent reported growth of more than 20 percent. Twenty-one percent reported a decline in gross revenue.

Similarly, a significant majority of respondents also reported an increase in quarterly revenue. Seventy-one percent of all spa respondents experienced positive gross profit change, with the majority of those spas (55 percent) reporting higher profits between one and 19 percent. The number of spa visits continued to increase in the second quarter, with 62 percent of all spas reporting an increase.

In regards to gross revenue change for the second quarter of 2016, 69 percent of ISPA spa member respondents reported some level of increase over the same quarter in 2015.

The largest group of spa respondents (31 percent) fell in the up by 1-9% increase range. When asked about the level of gross profit change when comparing quarter two of 2016 versus the same time in 2015, 64 percent of spas saw an increase.

A majority (65 percent) of spa respondents reported second quarter 2016 spa visits were up compared to the same time in 2015. When asked about average retail revenue per treatment, 26 percent of all spas fell into the $5-$10 and $11-$15 ranges. Only nine percent of resort/hotel spas reported an average retail revenue per treatment of more than $25 compared to nineteen percent of day spas. In regards to workforce changes, a little less than half of all spas (41 percent) filled vacant positions only during the second quarter of the year. Twenty-seven percent of day spa members said they added new positions during this quarter compared to 26 percent of resort/hotel spas.

Based on member responses for this month’s Snapshot Survey, the spa industry continued to experience growth in several areas during the second quarter of 2017. For all spa respondents, 74 percent reported gross revenue growth when comparing the second quarter of 2017 and the second quarter of 2016. Spa visits also continued to rise with 65 percent of all spas reporting that spa visits increased during the second quarter compared to last year.

A majority of resource partner respondents (68 percent), which includes both vendor and service provider members, also reported gross revenue growth during the second quarter. Similarly, gross profit change has increased for 63 percent of this segment.

The spa industry continued to experience growth in the second quarter by several metrics. Three in four spa respondents (75 percent) reported a gross revenue change increase when comparing the second quarter of 2018 to the second quarter of 2017. Similarly, more than half of resource partner respondents (73 percent) reported an increase in gross revenue change over the same time.

Over three in four spa respondents (77 percent) also reported an increase in profit change between the second quarter of 2018 compared to the second quarter of 2017. All day spa respondents (100 percent) reported an increase in profit change. Sixty-two percent of all spas reported that spa visits were up in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the second quarter of 2017. For day spas, this figure was 80 percent, while for resort/hotel spas, it was 55 percent.

Technology has become an ubiquitous presence in our working lives – and for many of us, our non-working lives as well. The spa industry is no different and has also seen noticeable growth in technology over the last decade.

For this month’s survey we asked members to let us know how technology is shaping their business, what is working for them (and what isn’t) as well as how they regulate the use of technology by staff and guests in a spa environment.

Our survey revealed that when it comes to implementing new technologies, day spa respondents are embracing resources that allow customers to book their treatments online more than resort/hotel spa respondents (77 percent and 42 percent respectively). To help ensure customers don’t forget their appointments, 90 percent are using email to send appointment confirmations. Almost one-third (32 percent) of day spas have an online retail presence allowing them to generate additional revenue compared to only 17 percent of resort/hotel spas.

Retail sales are an important income source for members, with 38 percent of all spas reporting an average of 10 – 15 percent of total annual sales revenue stemming from retail sales.

When comparing resort/hotel spas and day spas and their total spa revenue derived from retail sales, the numbers were quite similar, with 40 percent of resort/hotel spas falling within this range compared to 37 percent of day spas.

Over half (62 percent) of all spas reported they will introduce between one and three new retail product lines in 2016. When asked how many total vendors spas purchase products from for their retail area, 30 percent of all spas reported 11 – 15 vendors and 24 percent purchase products from 21 or more different vendors.

In regards to retail promotions, 35 percent of all spas introduce new promotions monthly, with 24 percent of all spas reporting introducing new promotions quarterly. When discussing incentives used to promote retail product sales in 2016, the most popular response for all spas (74 percent) was giving a free gift with purchase. Other popular responses included giving free product samples with a treatment/service, using email to promote a specific product and/or discount and providing a coupon or discount that can be applied toward a future purchase.

The last Snapshot Survey to cover social media as a topic was the March 2012 survey. Notable usage changes over that time include 40 percent of all spas using LinkedIn as a business tool in June of 2017, compared to just 31 percent in 2012. Pinterest saw a similar increase with 10 percent of spas using it in 2012 and 20 percent using it in 2017. Twitter has seen a decrease in use as 67 percent of all spa respondents used it in 2012 compared to 52 percent in 2017.

The most notable change is Instagram, which was still in its infancy in 2012, is now used by 80 percent of all spa respondents and 76 percent of resource partner respondents. Facebook saw slight growth as well with 98 percent using it in 2017 compared to 93 percent in 2012.

Sixty percent of all spa respondents reported they have partnered with a local business or organization to help generate new revenue. Many of these partnerships consist of local restaurants, stores, corporate offices and hotels, offering discounts and making use of cross-promotions. In contrast, just 21 percent of resource partner respondents have partnered with a local business or organization to help generate new revenue.

Spa respondents were asked to name their most successful revenue generating ideas for retail, marketing promotions, special packages and special events respectively. Common responses for retail included buy one, get-one deals and other bundled packages. Making use of social media and email campaigns were common tactics for marketing promotions and special packages, with seasonal specials performing well for a number of respondents. Hosting events for local spa guests was a popular response in the special event category as well.